Domesticated for millions of years, feline behaviour can still be very difficult for humans to read. ‘Cat language’ is made up of many things: each cat’s meows, change in body language and reactions are a way of telling you what and how they are feeling.

Cat language: not as complicated as you think

Understanding your cat or kitten means knowing what to look out for in their actions. The most obvious signs of communication are purrs and meows, but they’re not the only ones.

How your cat moves their tail, their gaze, how their ears are positioned and their body language not only helps you to understand how your cat is feeling, but can also give you vital information about their health and well-being.

Keep you cat healthy by watching how they act

Cats often don’t show pain or stress in obvious ways. Knowing how to read their body language can let you know if they are sick, in pain, or stressed. This could be particularly useful if you have an older cat.

It is also important to know your cat’s behaviour so that you have an idea of how they will react towards other animals, such as dogs or other cats, and also with other humans, especially children.